THE ABATTOIRS SITE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11871, 24 January 1902, Page 6

THE ABATTOIRS SITE.

SELECTION OF OAKLEIGH PARK. The question of a cite for tho city abattoirs was again before the City Council last night. At last meeting four sites were selected and referred to the master butchers.for their report, viz., Oakleigh Park (near Avondale Asylum), Salmon's property (Mount Roskill), May's (Mount Roskill), and Fairburn's {Ota-; huhu). "'"■■■'"■. '•/■-.-■■ ■ : :"' V: ' '■"'■'/■' '■ '■■'''""■'. :: ,; '■■ /■'■: :

Mo*. Knight, on behalf of the master butchers, ' stated last night that 18 butchers had visited the four sites selected, a»d had unanimously resolved to recommend tho purchase of Oakleigh Park. // They advanced.four reasons : (1) Pure water supply;': (2) good drainage; (3) olcGepreaiiaity to the preseßt abattoir paddock; (4) naaraess to the city. Mr. John McLeod moved, " Tint tho Council approve of Oakleigh Park as a site for the city abattoirs, and that the site be submitted to the Minister for Agriculture for approval, and that in the event of ■ his approving the site be *. purchased either by arbitration _or under the Public Works Aet." He stated that this site would be convenient for cattle coming from the North. He had been told on good authority that about 2000 cattle came annually from the North, and he believed the number would go on increasing. /As to tho objection that cattle would have to be driven over the roads, he thought Hhat could bo got over by tho city establishing saleyards, and then the cattle could bo landed at Mount Albert station,- which '-was within 10 minutes of Oakleigh Park. He had seen the Government; valuations of all the sites, and in every case _ the price asked was over the valuation. - : . ' The site at Oakleigh Park is 83 acres in extent, ■ and the price asked is £52 10s per acre.;-': ''..':' : : * :' .-/ / ' ' Mr. J. T. Julian asked if tho Council had the power to compel all the butchers in the city to ; use • the city abattoirs. ; * The Mayor,-explained' that • if any butcher did .not kill at: Che city abattoirs they had to pay a fee as if they did, providing that; the fees should not be more than 5 per cent, on the cost of the abattoirs. . .< .

Mr. Parr supported Mr. McLcod's" motion. Ho said the price asked for. the site was simply ridiculous. / - Mr. Court and Mr. Rossor also supported Oakleigh Park. The Mayor held that Oakleigh Park was not a good site. He saw no sense In shifting to Oakleigh Park, as they could make no better provision for • the abattoirs there than on the present site. On,this site the abattoirs would be' as far as possible from the saleyards. • '■".. The cattle ; would have to be driven through thickly-populated districts to Oakleigh Park, and the abattoirs would drain from this site into tho Waiteaaata Harbour, which would very soon be prevented. Nor would they be able :on this ; . site to increase their trade. It would not convenience the butchers of Onehunga, -Pai-neU,:. or Newmarket. Ho did not, in fact/know a site that would be worse for the abattoirs than Oakleigh Park. The feeling, - however, seemed to be in favour; of Oakleigh -Park, and ho did not propose to put any other site forward. . \ '-'."■. --.-■'-■./•■:. Mr. J. W. ; Heiveou pointed out the advantages of May's site, but said he would not object to Oakleigh Park, as it had been selected by tho butchers'. / . Mr. T. T. Mascfiold urged that the suburban boroughs should bo consulted and their requirements considered before the Council came. to a decision on this-question. On a division the motion in favour of Oakleigh Park was carried by eight votes to seven, the vote being as follows: the motion: Messrs. Rosser, Baume, McLeod, Dignan.Hannan, Parr, Court, and Garratt. Against: - Messrs.. Hewson, Glover, Julian, Grey, Masefield, Patterson, and tho Mayor.